The Victorian Government is investing $13 million to support the City of Whittlesea in delivering major upgrades for three of the City’s kindergartens.
These improvements will create up to 194 new kindergarten places, making it easier for families to access early education in their own neighbourhoods.
The funding will enable Council to upgrade and redevelop the Dalton Road Kindergarten in Thomastown, Derby Meadows Preschool in Epping and The Stables Kindergarten in Mill Park.
The Stables Kindergarten will be rebuilt as a two-room facility, opening in early 2027. Offering up to 118 kindergarten places, the new centre will feature a modern learning space and brand-new outdoor play area.
The redevelopments at Dalton Road Kindergarten and Derby Meadows Preschool will create integrated early years facilities that combine kindergarten and maternal and child health services. This will provide families with a one-stop space for essential services. These centres will each offer up to 118 kindergarten places by early 2028, improving access and outcomes for children and families.
City of Whittlesea CEO, Craig Lloyd, joined Member for Mill Park, Lily D’Ambrosio, on 5 December to announce a contribution for The Stables Kindergarten and Derby Meadows Preschool. This was followed by another announcement at Dalton Road Kindergarten on 12 December, where Member for Thomastown, Bronwyn Halfpenny, confirmed an additional contribution for Dalton Road Kindergarten.
These projects are part of the $24.25 million Building Blocks Partnership between the Victorian Government and the City of Whittlesea. They also support the Best Start, Best Life reform, which aims to increase kindergarten places across Victoria, address population growth, and improve access to affordable early childhood education.
City of Whittlesea Mayor, Aidan McLindon, said that these upgrades will give more children access to early learning opportunities close to home, providing them with a strong foundation for their future.
“It will also help ease cost-of-living pressures for families by creating more local kindergarten places, supporting parents who want to return to work or study,” Mayor McLindon said.
“We appreciate the Victorian Government’s local investment for City of Whittlesea families”.
